Hydrogen key to industrial clusters growth

The importance of hydrogen in driving industrial clusters’ development has been underlined by a dedicated forum at Davos and expansion of a World Economic Forum (WEF) initiative.

First launched at COP26 in 2021, and developed in collaboration with Accenture and EPRI, the Transitioning Industrial Cluster initiative now comprises 33 clusters in 16 countries. The 13 new members are:

• Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley (India): This zone in Kerala is central to India’s decarbonisation efforts by scaling hydrogen-powered transport.
• Cartagena Industrial Cluster (Colombia): Connected to the largest port-based industrial zone, this industrial cluster is uniquely positioned to become a strategic hub for the production, storage, distribution, shipping and use of clean hydrogen and low-carbon fuels.
• Gopalpur Industrial Park (India): Strategically located, the industrial park provides an exemplary ecosystem to attract investments from sectors leveraging new technology, including green energy.
• Hunter Region (Australia): The Hunter region is a hub of innovation and industry diversification, fostering collaboration across sectors to support growth in the emerging energy economy. The Hunter region showcases new technologies and advances low-carbon strategies to drive sustainable economic development.
• Jubail Industrial City (Saudi Arabia): Since outlining a plan in 1975 for an industrial city, the Jubail cluster has developed holistically, allowing synergies between co-located industries to minimise their carbon footprint.
• Kakinada Cluster (India): Coordinated by AM Green, this port-anchored hub in Andhra Pradesh works to provide industrial decarbonisation solutions, including green ammonia, hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel.
• Mundra Cluster (India): Located in Gujarat, the Mundra Cluster integrates green power initiatives with infrastructure to support large-scale industrial projects.
• Mumbai Green Hydrogen Cluster (India): This industrial hub in Maharashtra is accelerating the green hydrogen economy, linking industries with sustainable energy sources.
• Port of Açu Low Carbon Hub (Brazil): Leveraging Brazil’s competitive advantage in renewable energy and biofuels, as well as the port’s infrastructure, the cluster aims to deliver comprehensive decarbonisation solutions for a range of hard-to-abate sectors.
• Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands): As Europe’s largest port and logistics hub and a leader in green hydrogen corridors, this industrial area is connecting renewable energy production to industries across Europe​.
• Saraburi Sandbox (Thailand): Located in Saraburi Province, this model for a low-carbon city focuses on advancing clean energy solutions and circularity, reducing emissions from the heavy-emitting cement sector, and creating nature-positive ecosystems.
• The Solent Cluster (UK): Aiming to become a leading centre for low-carbon investment, The Solent Cluster will grow the regional economy, protect skilled jobs, and create new employment opportunities for low carbon energy technologies and industries.

The 33 signatories together represent potential carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions reductions of 832 million tonnes – approximately the annual emissions of Saudi Arabia.

Roberto Bocca, Head of the Centre for Energy and Materials, World Economic Forum, said, “Connecting industrial clusters across geographies and industries will accelerate the energy transition and foster a more resilient and sustainable global economy.”